Indiana Gov Mike Pence signed HB 1034 yesterday, giving Indiana residents direct access to evaluation and treatment by a physical therapist (PT) without a physician referral. The law, which will take effect on July 1, allows for evaluation and up to 24 days of treatment without a referral but continues to require a referral for spinal manipulation and sharp debridement. Prior to passage of the new law, a referral was required for all physical therapist services, both evaluation and treatment. Enactment of HB 1034 means that all 50 states and the District of Columbia now have direct access to evaluation, and 48 states plus DC, including Indiana, have some level of direct access to treatment.

"We are thrilled that Indiana has become the latest state to offer patients the choice of direct access to physical therapist services. Ensuring patient access is a cornerstone of APTA's vision and mission," said APTA President Paul A. Rockar Jr, PT, DPT, MS. "I congratulate our colleagues in the Indiana Chapter for their resilience and dedication in enacting this vital legislation after many years of tough battle. I also want to thank Rep David Frizzell for authoring the bill and Sen Patricia Miller for sponsoring the bill in the Senate."

As we celebrate this major legislative success in Indiana and important milestone for the profession, APTA will also continue to work toward improved patient access across the country, including the removal of restrictions in states that continue to impede patient access to physical therapist services.

Comments

Congratulations to our Indiana colleagues! To echo Paul Rockar, our APTA President, we are thrilled for your achievement. Your success gives us a renewed strength to keep "fighting the good fight" here in Michigan.
Jake Jakubiak Kovacek
Michigan Chapter Member

Posted by Jake Jakubiak Kovacek
on 4/30/2013 11:50 PM

Hi,
This is good news! Does this also mean that insurance and medicare will pay for PT services even without physician referral? Thank you.

Posted by Michael Rivera
on 5/1/2013 5:20 AM

Way to go Indiana PTs and thanks to the Lonnemanns and DPT students from Bellarmine University for spearheading the effort.

Posted by Patty Gillette
on 5/1/2013 8:32 AM

Congratulations on a most outstanding accomplishment!! Although I currently live in California, I was born, raised, and educated in Indiana and will always be a Hoosier at heart! Good for you and good for the people of Indiana!!

Posted by Patti Evans
on 5/1/2013 5:16 PM

I have witnessed this battle for several years. It has taken much resilience, but every accumulative push resulted in knocking down a heavy wall. Certainly a victory for all physical therapists.

Posted by Bryce Taylor
on 5/3/2013 4:19 PM

Congratulations to all my friends in Indiana. We, in California who do not have direct access, salute you!

Posted by Cheryl Resnik
on 5/3/2013 4:38 PM

This is so awesome ! I am a physical therapist practicing in the state of Indiana since 17 years and I am excited to look forward to this important milestone .I am also anxious anticipating insurance regulation changes , I am curious to know if other states that have direct access had any changes with insurance regulations after direct access

Posted by Amira
on 5/3/2013 5:47 PM

too bad, california is still working on direct access. we need every body to support.

Posted by wei huang
on 5/3/2013 7:04 PM

Congrats! Maybe someday my home state of Oklahoma will come out of the dark ages.

Posted by Breah
on 5/4/2013 12:01 AM

Congratulations!
It absoultly baffles me why it takes so long to change state law. I remember in 1981 when I was living and working in Indiana, going to my state represenative's house to lobby for Direct Access to PT. That was 32 years ago.
Damien Howell PT,DPT,OCS

Posted by Damien Howell
on 5/4/2013 10:04 AM

Indiana can now also accept referrals from NPs and PAs which we couldn't before. Even though insurance companies still require a referral for now, we appreciate the increased patient access to care for self-pay and pro bono services! We understand that Ohio is working with the insurance companies to change the referral requirement. This gives us a model to follow in Indiana.

Posted by Mary Fridlund
on 5/4/2013 11:23 AM

Congratulations! Great motivation for the rest of us to continue our collective work.

Posted by Robin Schoenfeld
on 5/4/2013 7:14 PM

Congratulations from Australia. We continue to watch the battle for direct access in your country with much interest. It is clear from the Australian experience that direct access is the key to a more equitable and fairer health system. Keep up the good fight. JK

Posted by Jonathon Kruger
on 5/5/2013 7:03 PM

As a fellow Hoosier its great to see Indiana finally join the list of states that have direct access...well done governor and APTA

Posted by Matt Starkey
on 5/5/2013 11:13 PM

Great 1st step. Now that it is legal, will insurance companies pay for PT w/o script?

Posted by Dorian Aniline
on 5/6/2013 8:40 AM

I am an indiana University grad and still maintain Indiana licensure, though I live and practice in Virginia, where we have had direct access for years. Congratulations to Indiana PT's, and do NOT let the insurance issue get in your way! Some will pay, some will not (Federal programs like Medicare are still in the dark ages), but patients can choose to pay themselves.... they do that for valued products and services every day! Ever get your car fixed? The key is you finally have access... the rest is up to us.

Posted by Brian Hoke
on 5/7/2013 10:02 AM

Congratulations on a legislative success. As a PT in California, a state with only access to evaluation but not treatment I commend you and hope PT's in California have the integrity to not allow Referral for Profit in exchange for a watered down limited direct access!

Posted by Jeff Fairley
on 5/7/2013 10:33 AM

Congratulations to our Southern Neighbors!! Maybe this momentum will help us up here in the Great Lakes State

Posted by Renee Hill
on 5/7/2013 11:50 AM

Congratulations! what a wonderful achievement. Now let's keep fighting to increase our access to patients for their treatments without limitations based on outdated logic.

Posted by Aaron LeBauer
on 5/7/2013 12:22 PM

Congratulations to all involved in Indiana getting their direct access finally. Somewhat confused by Ms Cheryl Resnik's comment that CA does not have direct access? thought the article stated now all 50 states and DC have direct access?

Posted by David Apts,PT,DPT,OCS
on 5/7/2013 1:01 PM

Thanks Colleagues and Friends, it has been an arduous and perilous fight. We have perseverded to gain D.A.,eval. & Tx, referrals from NP & PA's and maintained spinal manipulation in our scope of practice.
I would like to give a "shout out" to Pauline Flesch, PT, the State Legis. Comm., and the grass roots, it took to accomplish this feat. Thanks!
It is interesting to read your comments reflecting on our experience.
Sorry it took our legislators so long to "get it"!

Posted by Jerry A. Smith, PT
on 5/7/2013 1:49 PM

Excellent job Indiana! Having all 50 states on board with access to physical therapy services will help us to achieve our Vision of the profession in 2020 and beyond. This is wonderful news. Thanks to all who have worked so long and hard to achieve this goal.

Posted by Barney Poole
on 5/7/2013 2:25 PM

Congratulations, Indiana PTs - this has been a long time in coming and an excellent job negotiating to keep spinal manipulations in scope of practice! This will serve you well! As noted earlier, people will pay for quality and outcomes. (They do in Minnesota.) Let's not be defined by what insurance decides to cover and instead lead the discussions on how we provide value. Thanks to all who helped make this happen.